A lot of what you write here could apply to my favorite rock band of all time, Guided by Voices, especially their album Bee Thousand. Particularly, it has less-than-perfect recording, an unconventional voice, amazing “moment of clarity” lyrics, and I think some of that ambition you mention.
Just wondering if you’re a fan of GBV, as they seem to meet most of these criteria. And, I’m a fan of many of the bands you mention.
I have listened to “Bee Thousand” probably around 10 times and it still hasn’t gelled with me. Still, there is something that draws me back to it for repeated experimental listens, which must be a good thing.
I know Guided by Voices have a hardcore following, but I can’t count myself as part of it right now. I like their later song “She Goes Off at Night” quite a lot though.
Stuart we are proud of your music knowledge, appreciation and diverse thirst to listen to, experience and analyse subjectively the art of so many creative artists . We especially stand tall to have helped to establish your love and desire to discover more and more in the ever evolving pool of sound that will never dry up. Sharing this with you and everyone who shares our passion is most gratifying.
Go with the choices here, but dislike the comment about “the masses” overexposing music – it’s corporations and marketeers who do that. Nirvana featured many of the quirks and elements you mention but surely suffered from over exposure (Cobain suffering most of all)
Your idea here is so damned strong, but like so many other people when discussing music – you feel the need to show just how OBSCURE your tastes are so you can stand feel above people who listen to what the radio gives them.
Just because you enjoy Huskur Du and get a rush out of The Chills does NOT mean that someone can’t find that vibe in a Green Day or a Gnarls Barkley.
You even state in the comic (the weakest part of the entire thing, I think) that you want music to not be overexposed. That’s damned selfish of you to not want a band or musician you love to become exposed to a world of people and make their big red X on the world. I’m sure many of the bands you listed are doing JUST fine without heavy circulation, but I bet most of them would LOVE to be able to sell out Madison Square Garden.
A love of music is great. A love of discovering new music is also great. A love of finding new music as a weapon against ‘the mainstream’ is just sad.
You have absolutely o idea what you are talking about, but are instead completely involved in creating a “hip-indie” image for yourself. Take some music theory classes and learn to play an instrument if you love music so much. Fucking pretentious idiot.
James is right. I mean the Sex Pistols could barely play. Also, no need to mention Joe Strummer was of the Clash. If the reader didn’t know that then the rest of the cartoon would be miles above them…
I should point out that this is not a set of criteria that ALL music I listen to must fit.
Sometimes I like songs that tick a few of these boxes, sometimes I like a song for just one particular reason. This cartoon was supposed to share the joy I was feeling in the winter of 2009 when reflecting on the various facets that make up my musical taste. A departure from my usual environmental/social commentary cartoons.
I like a lot of bands for the reason that they are a ‘hidden secret’ shared by me and a few hundred other people. However I’m not a killjoy about this relative lack of commercial success. I’m not sure how it is even possible for a fan to somehow suppress the careers/popularity of artists as some are suggesting. On the contrary, I tend to spread my appreciation for the bands that I enjoy (such as listing them in cartoons!)
On the other hand, my favourite bands/songs include some of the most popular artists in the history of popular music. In fact this cartoon was originally going to be 100% about the band Nirvana. I like different music for different reasons.
Just thought I’d post this clarification after a few months of undercurrents in the discussion about this cartoon.
A better name for the comic would have been “What I’ve learned from Pitchfork.”
I know this is your list and everything… and that’s cool and all, but Miles Davis doesn’t belong on it. He sticks out like a Hipster at a jazz club.
And we all know Tortoise is the most underrated band of ALL time within this Hipster subculture. Their entire catalog “blurs the boundaries of genre and defies simple classification”. There’s music.
Wow – just read some of the moronic comments by the Know-It-Alls. You know, all those guys who couldn’t get a deal no matter how they tried, and so they have to slam what you like to make up for their shortcomings.
Again, a very well-done page and I wish you success and lifelong enjoyment of the music you appreciate.
I loved your cartoons, and musical interests (esp. YLT). If you liked all of those things, I do think you would like Western Civ. At any rate, won’t you give them a try and let me know? http://www.westerncivrock.com
I like music from bands that hipper-than-thou types deride as sellouts. What is a sellout? A band which attracts fans who are richer and/or more popular than you.
This brought a smile to my face. I generally prefer my music to have quite a polished sound to it, yet I relate to what you’re saying within this cartoon. I don’t see it as pretentious at all, you’ve always been someone who simply wants to share the music you love with other people. Everyone likes different things and I see this cartoon as less of something designed to derail mainstream music and more of a celebration of quirky creativity
Your cartoon read like this: “Yeah, I mean, like, why would I like a band if it becomes overexposed? How much I like something is inversely proportional to how much everyone else likes it.”
“a self destruct button” to prevent over exposure.
im pretty sure that exposure does not alter the actual content of a song.
this is just a a big tribute to indie rock and being a hipster…
i also like music. i like variety in my music.
Stuart… thanks for this comic. Help me discover Bark Psychosis “Abscent Friend”. Amazing song.
To the “actual musician” above accusing you of being pretentious… Musician does not equate to deep appreciation of music. When you take up an interest in music and delve deeply into it, your tastes change.
Some people are quick to be offended by statements like that, since music means so much to all of us. But, let’s turn it around and imagine a car enthusiast who was only interested in Family sedans… or a Wine lover who only drank boxed wine. Come on.
Hey! Looks like you posted this a while ago, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! I’m a opera studies major at a conservatory (ugh, right??), and this semester in 20th century theory everyone is hating on every piece of music! This was such a cool graphic representation of why it’s just awesome to embrace the music, man!
[...] amazes me is how quickly the comments about his cartoon turn hostile. The longer you’re around music, the more you get exposed to and you start to [...]
Comments (28)
A lot of what you write here could apply to my favorite rock band of all time, Guided by Voices, especially their album Bee Thousand. Particularly, it has less-than-perfect recording, an unconventional voice, amazing “moment of clarity” lyrics, and I think some of that ambition you mention.
Just wondering if you’re a fan of GBV, as they seem to meet most of these criteria. And, I’m a fan of many of the bands you mention.
Hey Crystal,
I have listened to “Bee Thousand” probably around 10 times and it still hasn’t gelled with me. Still, there is something that draws me back to it for repeated experimental listens, which must be a good thing.
I know Guided by Voices have a hardcore following, but I can’t count myself as part of it right now. I like their later song “She Goes Off at Night” quite a lot though.
Stuart we are proud of your music knowledge, appreciation and diverse thirst to listen to, experience and analyse subjectively the art of so many creative artists . We especially stand tall to have helped to establish your love and desire to discover more and more in the ever evolving pool of sound that will never dry up. Sharing this with you and everyone who shares our passion is most gratifying.
I love The Chills… You make a lot of sense Stuart.
You like a lot of white music!
This is simply amazing. I secretly think that Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs and Kid Koala’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome belong to the i-like-music group.
But more than that, you’ve so wonderfully described a passion for sound. I am now happy today. ^_^
Go with the choices here, but dislike the comment about “the masses” overexposing music – it’s corporations and marketeers who do that. Nirvana featured many of the quirks and elements you mention but surely suffered from over exposure (Cobain suffering most of all)
Your idea here is so damned strong, but like so many other people when discussing music – you feel the need to show just how OBSCURE your tastes are so you can stand feel above people who listen to what the radio gives them.
Just because you enjoy Huskur Du and get a rush out of The Chills does NOT mean that someone can’t find that vibe in a Green Day or a Gnarls Barkley.
You even state in the comic (the weakest part of the entire thing, I think) that you want music to not be overexposed. That’s damned selfish of you to not want a band or musician you love to become exposed to a world of people and make their big red X on the world. I’m sure many of the bands you listed are doing JUST fine without heavy circulation, but I bet most of them would LOVE to be able to sell out Madison Square Garden.
A love of music is great. A love of discovering new music is also great. A love of finding new music as a weapon against ‘the mainstream’ is just sad.
You have absolutely o idea what you are talking about, but are instead completely involved in creating a “hip-indie” image for yourself. Take some music theory classes and learn to play an instrument if you love music so much. Fucking pretentious idiot.
No mention of Pavement?
James is right. I mean the Sex Pistols could barely play. Also, no need to mention Joe Strummer was of the Clash. If the reader didn’t know that then the rest of the cartoon would be miles above them…
I should point out that this is not a set of criteria that ALL music I listen to must fit.
Sometimes I like songs that tick a few of these boxes, sometimes I like a song for just one particular reason. This cartoon was supposed to share the joy I was feeling in the winter of 2009 when reflecting on the various facets that make up my musical taste. A departure from my usual environmental/social commentary cartoons.
I like a lot of bands for the reason that they are a ‘hidden secret’ shared by me and a few hundred other people. However I’m not a killjoy about this relative lack of commercial success. I’m not sure how it is even possible for a fan to somehow suppress the careers/popularity of artists as some are suggesting. On the contrary, I tend to spread my appreciation for the bands that I enjoy (such as listing them in cartoons!)
On the other hand, my favourite bands/songs include some of the most popular artists in the history of popular music. In fact this cartoon was originally going to be 100% about the band Nirvana. I like different music for different reasons.
Just thought I’d post this clarification after a few months of undercurrents in the discussion about this cartoon.
Refreshingly true.
A better name for the comic would have been “What I’ve learned from Pitchfork.”
I know this is your list and everything… and that’s cool and all, but Miles Davis doesn’t belong on it. He sticks out like a Hipster at a jazz club.
And we all know Tortoise is the most underrated band of ALL time within this Hipster subculture. Their entire catalog “blurs the boundaries of genre and defies simple classification”. There’s music.
Nicely, nicely done. Talk about clarity in communication! This page is a great song in itself. Thanks.
Wow – just read some of the moronic comments by the Know-It-Alls. You know, all those guys who couldn’t get a deal no matter how they tried, and so they have to slam what you like to make up for their shortcomings.
Again, a very well-done page and I wish you success and lifelong enjoyment of the music you appreciate.
I feel ashamed for thinking, “This is a great setup for ridiculing terrible, popular music. I can’t wait till the end!”
I loved your cartoons, and musical interests (esp. YLT). If you liked all of those things, I do think you would like Western Civ. At any rate, won’t you give them a try and let me know? http://www.westerncivrock.com
So unbelievably fucking pretentious. Guh.
I like musik that disintregrates like Big Star: Kangaroo.
I like music that is both ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ at the exact same time. e.g. The Microphones – “The Moon” and Mice Parade – “Passing & Galloping”.
…and now I have to listen to O’Death’s “Home” again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu7cG9ZfJo
I like music from bands that hipper-than-thou types deride as sellouts. What is a sellout? A band which attracts fans who are richer and/or more popular than you.
This brought a smile to my face. I generally prefer my music to have quite a polished sound to it, yet I relate to what you’re saying within this cartoon. I don’t see it as pretentious at all, you’ve always been someone who simply wants to share the music you love with other people. Everyone likes different things and I see this cartoon as less of something designed to derail mainstream music and more of a celebration of quirky creativity
Your cartoon read like this: “Yeah, I mean, like, why would I like a band if it becomes overexposed? How much I like something is inversely proportional to how much everyone else likes it.”
Seriously?
“a self destruct button” to prevent over exposure.
im pretty sure that exposure does not alter the actual content of a song.
this is just a a big tribute to indie rock and being a hipster…
i also like music. i like variety in my music.
Stuart… thanks for this comic. Help me discover Bark Psychosis “Abscent Friend”. Amazing song.
To the “actual musician” above accusing you of being pretentious… Musician does not equate to deep appreciation of music. When you take up an interest in music and delve deeply into it, your tastes change.
Some people are quick to be offended by statements like that, since music means so much to all of us. But, let’s turn it around and imagine a car enthusiast who was only interested in Family sedans… or a Wine lover who only drank boxed wine. Come on.
Hey! Looks like you posted this a while ago, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! I’m a opera studies major at a conservatory (ugh, right??), and this semester in 20th century theory everyone is hating on every piece of music! This was such a cool graphic representation of why it’s just awesome to embrace the music, man!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks (2)
[...] amazes me is how quickly the comments about his cartoon turn hostile. The longer you’re around music, the more you get exposed to and you start to [...]
[...] heavily, and after the artistic style of ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’ and ‘I Like Music‘, it seemed like a step towards the past, not the [...]